That nagging pain on the thumb side of your wrist, especially when you grip, lift or twist? It could be De Quervain’s, a common and very treatable tendon condition. It flares when the tendons that move your thumb become irritated where they pass through a tunnel at the wrist. The good news is it usually responds well to simple treatment.
In this guide we explain what De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is, how to know if you have it, what causes the wrist pain, and how physiotherapy helps you fix it.
What Is De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis?
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is irritation and swelling of the sheath around two tendons on the thumb side of your wrist. These tendons control thumb movement, and they run through a narrow tunnel near the base of the thumb. When the sheath becomes inflamed, the tendons no longer glide smoothly, which causes pain and sometimes a catching sensation. It is one of the most common tendon problems of the wrist and thumb.
Signs You Have De Quervain’s
The hallmark is pain on the thumb side of the wrist, often extending up the forearm. It typically worsens with gripping, pinching, lifting, wringing or thumb movements, and you may notice swelling or a catching feeling. A simple self-test is to tuck your thumb into your palm, make a fist, and bend the wrist away from the thumb, if that reproduces your wrist pain, it points strongly to the condition.
What Causes De Quervain’s?
This tenosynovitis is usually an overuse problem. Repetitive thumb and wrist movements, gripping, and sustained loads irritate the tendons over time. Common triggers include repeatedly lifting a baby, which is why it is so common in new parents, as well as activities like texting, gaming, gardening, racquet sports and certain jobs. Hormonal changes around pregnancy can also play a role. Often it builds gradually rather than from one event.
The Mother’s Thumb Connection
It is so common in new parents that it is nicknamed mother’s thumb or mummy thumb. Repeatedly scooping up a baby with the thumb out to the side loads exactly the tendons involved, often dozens of times a day. It is not limited to mothers, any caregiver can develop it. The reassuring news is that with the right adjustments and treatment, it settles even while you continue caring for your little one.
How to Fix De Quervain’s
For most people, this tenosynovitis responds well to conservative treatment. This usually combines resting the tendons from the aggravating load, a thumb splint to settle them, and, as things calm down, specific exercises and technique changes to build tolerance and prevent recurrence. Physiotherapy ties all of this together. In more stubborn cases, a doctor may consider a cortisone injection, and occasionally surgery, but most people improve without going that far.
Self-Help You Can Try
There is plenty you can do yourself. Modify the movements that flare it, particularly repetitive thumb and gripping tasks, and adjust your technique, for example lifting a baby with flat hands under the body rather than scooping with the thumbs. A thumb splint can rest the tendons, and ice can ease symptoms. Gentle, pain-free movement is fine. These steps often settle things, especially caught early.
When to Seek Help
If your wrist pain is not settling with self-help, is limiting your daily tasks, or is severe, it is worth getting assessed. A physiotherapist can confirm the diagnosis, rule out other causes, and set up an effective plan. Seek prompt medical review if you have significant swelling, redness and heat, numbness spreading into the fingers, or pain after a fall, as these suggest something other than a tenosynovitis may be going on.
Common Questions About De Quervain’s
What is De Quervain’s?
It is irritation of the sheath around the thumb tendons at the wrist, causing pain on the thumb side of the wrist, especially with gripping and thumb movements.
How do I know if I have it?
Pain on the thumb side of the wrist with gripping or lifting, and a positive self-test (thumb in fist, wrist bent away) are strong signs. A physiotherapist can confirm it.
Will it go away on its own?
It can settle if you reduce the aggravating load early, but it often needs treatment like splinting and exercises to fully resolve and to stop it returning.
Does it need surgery?
Rarely. Most cases improve with splinting, activity changes and physiotherapy. Injections or surgery are reserved for stubborn cases and decided with a doctor.
Can physiotherapy help?
Yes. Physiotherapy is a mainstay of treatment, combining splinting advice, load management, technique changes and exercises to settle the wrist pain and prevent it coming back.
How BeFit Can Help
At BeFit Training Physiotherapy, we assess and treat it and get your wrist and thumb working comfortably again. Our general physiotherapy and sports physiotherapy teams confirm the diagnosis, ease your wrist pain, and build a plan of splinting, activity changes and exercises, and a mobility assessment can help pinpoint contributing factors. Initial consultations run for 45 minutes, one-on-one.
Our team at Edgecliff and Coogee would be glad to help. No referral is required, and HICAPS is available on-site for immediate health fund claiming.
Book an appointment at BeFit Training Physiotherapy — no referral needed.
Edgecliff: (02) 9327 7749 | Coogee: (02) 7205 2805 | befittrainingphysio.com/book-now
Related Services at BeFit
Learn more about how our team can help:
General Physiotherapy
Sports Physiotherapy
Mobility Assessment
Further Reading
How to Know if It’s Tendinopathy or Tenosynovitis
How to Know if You Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The Truth About Mother’s Thumb and Wrist Pain
References
Goel R, Abzug JM. de Quervain’s tenosynovitis: a review of the rehabilitative options. Hand (N Y). 2015.
Huisstede BM, et al. Effectiveness of interventions of De Quervain disease: a systematic review. Physical Therapy. 2014.
Australian Physiotherapy Association. Clinical guidelines. physiotherapy.asn.au.
